Protesters Gather in Tokyo as Japan Holds State Funeral for Slain Leader, Shinzo Abe

Protesters Gather in Tokyo as Japan Holds State Funeral for Slain Leader, Shinzo Abe

Protesters Gather in Tokyo , as Japan Holds State Funeral , for Slain Leader, Shinzo Abe.

On September 27, thousands of protesters opposed to the state-funded funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe flooded the streets near parliament.

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On September 27, thousands of protesters opposed to the state-funded funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe flooded the streets near parliament.

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ABC reports that the protests came as dignitaries from around the world gathered in Tokyo to pay their respects to the slain leader.

ABC reports that the protests came as dignitaries from around the world gathered in Tokyo to pay their respects to the slain leader.

According to Japan's government, about 3,600 people from Japan and 700 from overseas attended the state funeral which would cost about $12 million.

According to Japan's government, about 3,600 people from Japan and 700 from overseas attended the state funeral which would cost about $12 million.

ABC reports that opponents of Abe say he was a divisive leader who repeatedly trampled on the democratic principles of Japan.

According to local polls, opposition to the state-funded funeral was far greater than support for it.

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Approximately 6 in 10 Japanese people opposed the funeral in polls and hundreds of thousands signed petitions to cancel the event.

No one thinks that deciding on doing a state funeral in an undemocratic way will help Kishida defend democracy, Koichi Nakano, Political science professor at Sophia University in Tokyo, via ABC.

If you really follow the logic, it's democracy that should not be suspended in spite of the brutal murder, Koichi Nakano, Political science professor at Sophia University in Tokyo, via ABC.

Koichi Nakano, a political science professor at Sophia University in Tokyo, argues that the funeral will overshadow Abe's undemocratic record in office.

Koichi Nakano, a political science professor at Sophia University in Tokyo, argues that the funeral will overshadow Abe's undemocratic record in office.

ABC reports that Abe's time in office was plagued by scandals and unfulfilled political goals.

Only one other prime minister in Japan's post-World War II history has been honored with a state-funded funeral